Nardò Technical Center, an automotive proving ground operated by Porsche Engineering Group, has created a virtual version of its testing and engineering facility located in Apulia, Italy. The Nardò team used VI-grade’s VI-GraphSim and VI-Road software to create the necessary road data files and virtual graphic scenarios for offline and online simulations in order to provide digital tracks for vehicle development. The virtual proving ground data files are available for purchase and rental on the VI-grade website.
The Nardò Technical Center covers more than 700 hectares and features a variety of test tracks and facilities, including a recently renovated 12.6km circular track and dynamic platform. The facility is popular for handling performance evaluation, including durability, reliability, vehicle dynamics and tyre tests, which can also now be conducted remotely using a digital clone of the tracks.
“The virtualisation of our tracks aligns perfectly with our strategy to become more and more an engineering centre of excellence, also offering to our customers a wide services portfolio”, said Antonio Gratis, managing director of Nardò Technical Center. “With the adoption of the VI-GraphSim and VI-Road software, we plan to further enhance our virtual testing capabilities, strengthening our virtual development and validation activities by offering virtual scenarios for different applications.”
“We are very pleased that the Nardò Technical Center chose to cooperate with VI-grade in order to provide digital tracks and virtual graphic scenario”, said Alessio Lombardi, South Europe & UK Sales Director, VI-grade. “This will help our customers take vehicle design decisions in a faster and more accurate manner, helping reduce dependence on physical prototypes through the opportunity of safely accessing a virtual version of their proving ground at a lower cost.”
The software enables road data files to be prepared for vehicle simulations and supports advanced capabilities, such as the possibility of modelling kerbs and of specifying variable friction coefficients and track disturbances. The user interface gives users access to specific tools for creating, manipulating and smoothing driver lines, while the embedded solver in VI-Road enables users to estimate the static limit speed profile for a given vehicle on a specified trajectory.
The VI-GraphSim package provides high-resolution and low-latency graphic environments for static and dynamic driving simulators. When used in conjunction with wide-screen displays, the system provides ‘drivers’ with an immersive environment. VI-GraphSim includes a variety of vehicle models from many different race series and from automotive OEMs and racing tracks.
